The Notre Dame Fighting Irish aren’t just surviving the 2025 college football season—they’re surging. On Tuesday evening, November 18, 2025, the College Football Playoff Selection Committee released its third rankings of the year, and despite the pressure of an expanded 12-team playoff, Notre Dame held firm at No. 9. That one spot separates them from a home playoff game—and instead, they’ll hit the road to face Oklahoma in the first round. It’s not the dream draw, but for a team that started 0-2, it’s a miracle they’re even in the conversation.
A Turnaround Built on Close Losses
Let’s be clear: Notre Dame didn’t get here by accident. After opening the season with a heartbreaking 27-24 loss to Miami (Florida) and a one-point defeat to Texas A&M, nobody expected them to make a playoff push. But something clicked after that. They beat USC 34-24 on October 18, then rattled off eight straight wins, culminating in a 37-15 dismantling of Pittsburgh last weekend. The defense tightened. The offense found rhythm. And the committee noticed.Here’s the twist: the committee didn’t reward them for wins alone. They rewarded them for the quality of their losses. While Alabama had four wins against top-25 teams—including a close game against No. 4 Georgia—the Crimson Tide’s losses came against unranked opponents. Notre Dame? Their two defeats were to two ranked teams, both by single digits. That mattered. A lot.
Why Notre Dame Beat Alabama in the Rankings
The numbers tell a deeper story. According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, the committee prioritized “loss context” over raw win totals. Alabama entered the week at No. 4, but after falling to Oklahoma, they tumbled six spots to No. 10. Notre Dame, meanwhile, climbed steadily. Their offensive efficiency ranks 17th nationally, but their defense? Top 12 in multiple metrics. And in points per play? Third in the country. That’s elite production on a per-snap basis.Meanwhile, Alabama’s offense has sputtered. Ranked 34th in efficiency, they’re struggling to move the ball consistently. That’s not a fluke—it’s a trend. And while Alabama fans point to their resume, the committee sees a team that peaked too early and faded down the stretch. Notre Dame? They’re peaking now.
The Playoff Path: Road Warriors in December
The bracket is set. No. 9 Notre Dame travels to No. 8 Oklahoma in the first round, a game scheduled for December 21, 2025. The winner advances to face top-seeded Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl on December 31, 2025. Unlike last year, the top four teams get byes regardless of conference title status. That means No. 1 Ohio State, No. 2 Indiana, No. 3 Texas A&M, and No. 4 Georgia are all sitting out the first round. The other first-round matchups? No. 12 Tulane at No. 5 Texas Tech, No. 11 Miami at No. 6 Ole Miss, and No. 10 Alabama at No. 7 Oregon.The stakes? Massive. A win over Oklahoma doesn’t just keep Notre Dame alive—it rewrites their legacy. They haven’t reached the playoff semifinals since 2018. This is their best shot in six years.
The Bigger Picture: Conference Champions Left Out
The new 12-team format was supposed to be more inclusive. But here’s the irony: the fourth- and fifth-highest-ranked conference champions—Miami (Florida) and Tulane—are both outside the top eight. That means they’re playing on the road, just like Notre Dame. Meanwhile, teams like Brigham Young (9-1) and Utah (8-2) are watching from home, their resumes deemed insufficient despite perfect or near-perfect records.The message from the committee? It’s not about records. It’s about strength of schedule, late-season momentum, and who you beat when it mattered. Notre Dame passed every test. Alabama didn’t.
What’s Next? The Road to the Semis
If Notre Dame beats Oklahoma, they’ll face Ohio State in a rematch of their 2024 season opener—a game the Buckeyes won 31-28. That’s the kind of narrative the NCAA loves: redemption arc, national stage, primetime TV. The Irish have the defense to slow down Ohio State’s high-powered offense. They have the experience. They have the momentum.But here’s the thing: they’ve never won a playoff game on the road. Ever. And now they’re playing in Norman, Oklahoma, where the crowd will be deafening. That’s not just a game—it’s a test of character.
For the Fighting Irish, this isn’t about making history. It’s about claiming it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Notre Dame ranked ahead of Alabama despite having fewer wins against top-25 teams?
The College Football Playoff Selection Committee prioritized the quality of losses over win totals. Notre Dame lost to two ranked teams (Miami and Texas A&M) by a combined 10 points, while Alabama lost to unranked opponents and suffered a blowout defeat to Oklahoma. The committee values competitiveness and schedule strength more than raw win counts, especially late in the season.
What’s the significance of Notre Dame playing on the road in the first round?
Notre Dame has never won a College Football Playoff game away from home. Their only previous playoff appearance in 2018 ended in a home loss to Alabama. Facing Oklahoma in Norman—where the Sooners have a 10-1 home record this season—adds immense pressure. But a road win would signal a major shift in the program’s national credibility.
How does the 12-team playoff format differ from previous years?
Unlike the old 4-team format, the 12-team system gives the top four teams automatic byes, regardless of conference championship status. The remaining eight teams play in first-round games on campus sites. The top four teams are then assigned to the traditional New Year’s Six bowls (Cotton, Orange, Rose, Sugar) for quarterfinals, with no re-seeding after round one.
Who are Notre Dame’s toughest remaining opponents if they advance?
If Notre Dame beats Oklahoma, they’ll face No. 1 Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl on December 31, 2025. Ohio State’s offense leads the nation in scoring (44.8 points per game) and total yards. But Notre Dame’s defense ranks third in points per play, suggesting they could neutralize the Buckeyes’ explosive attack—if their offensive line holds up under pressure.
What impact does this ranking have on Notre Dame’s recruiting and future prospects?
A deep playoff run would dramatically boost Notre Dame’s recruiting profile. Top 2026 recruits, especially dual-threat quarterbacks and defensive backs, are already watching. A win over Oklahoma and a competitive showing against Ohio State could push the Irish into the top-five recruiting classes next year, reversing a trend of declining national interest since 2022.
When and where are the playoff quarterfinals being played?
The quarterfinals are scheduled for December 31, 2025, and January 1, 2026, at the Cotton Bowl (Arlington, Texas), Orange Bowl (Miami), Rose Bowl (Pasadena), and Sugar Bowl (New Orleans). The top four seeds are assigned based on historic bowl tie-ins, not seeding, meaning No. 1 Ohio State will go to the Cotton Bowl regardless of who they face.
